2011: The Falcons seem to disappoint once they hit the post season and the same was said in the 2011 season. Quarterback Matt Ryan has yet to win a playoff game in his four year career. The team finished the season 10-6. The 2011 draft for the Falcons was clearly about getting Julio Jones and that also effected their 2012 draft.
C Peter Konz is a big guy at the center position at 6'5 and 315 pounds. Outstanding and physical at run blocking. Good value in the second round. I wish that he was a little stronger, but a good pick for an ageing offensive line.
OT Lamar Holmes is a raw talent out of Southern Mississippi. Has long arms, but really needs work on technique. Looks like he will be a reserve offensive lineman.
FB Bradie Ewing is a smart and intelligent player that will be an improvement at the position. Is a decent blocker and will help make holes for the Falcons running attack.
DE Jonathan Massaquoi is a Jr., coming out of Troy that is raw and really needs help everywhere in his game. Production fell from 2010 season to 2011 season. Needs to get stronger. Is a good pass rusher, but still needs coaching. Racked up 19.5 sacks in his career at Troy.
S Charles Mitchell is a three year starter from Mississippi State. Made over 90 tackles in each of his last two seasons. Consistency does scare me a little, but adds depth to the secondary and good special teams talent.
DT Travian Robertson is a big bodied guy that could add depth to the position if he proves he can make the team. Needs coaching, but I see talent in areas of his game that can be effective.
Overview: As you see, the Julio Jones pick really effected the Falcons draft this year as well. The team did not have a pick in rounds one and four. Although, with their selections, I do like the guys they selected. Konz will add great depth and can play guard if asked. These guys will fill small roles and maybe their roles will increase as time goes on.
GRADE: C
Panthers
2011: Although they finished the season 6-10, and failed to make the playoffs, the Panthers have to be happy about the direction the franchise is heading in. All starting with the first overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, Cam Newton. Newton broke many records as a rookie quarterback. The Panthers have a lot to look forward to for years to come.
2012:
LB Luke Kuechly is what I call the tackling machine. Racked up 191 tackles in 2011 alone. Not to mention 183 in 2010 and 158 in 2009. Kuechly has a great motor and is always around the ball. Has good instincts and will be a real impact on this defense. Was a team captain two times at Boston College. My biggest worry is size. Needs to get bigger in my opinion. 30 pounds lighter than Dont'a Hightower.
OL Amini Silatolu has long arms and good size and I am a real big fan of what he does. Needs coaching, but has the ability to be a rising offensive lineman in the next couple years.
DE Frank Alexander has good size and has pass rushing ability. Will most likely be a substitute type player in the 2012 season.
WR Joe Adams is a speedy wide receiver that is electric with the ball in his hands. Is a special teams guy, but can add depth at receiver. Has a history with drops. Needs stronger hands. I am a fan at what he did in Arkansas.
CB Josh Norman is one of the more underrated corners in the 2012 class. Great size and decent speed. Has experience and can intercept the ball. Is a good athlete and can make good plays on the ball. Needs coached on angles and tackling.
P Brad Nortman will have a chance to make the team in training camp and the preseason.
S DJ Campbell is a good athlete that has good size that can add depth to the position if he can make the team.
Overview: A solid draft in my opinion for the Panthers. They really didn't go wrong with Kuechly and Silatolu. I am very interested to see how Josh Norman handles himself at the next level. I admire the way they have drafted the past couple years. This draft was a lot more safe than last year's, but will definitely help the team.
GRADE: B+
Saints
2011: The Saints finished the season 13-3, but suffered a loss to the 49ers in the divisional round of the playoffs. As always, Drew Brees was very impressive, but this year Brees broke Dan Marino's single season passing record. The rookies of 2011 had a lot to offer starting with defensive end Cam Jordan who proved that he could be a run stopper and that he is versatile. Running back Mark Ingram faced injuries all season long.
2012:
DE Akiem Hicks is a big defensive end from Regina (Canada) at 6'4 and 324 pounds. Long arms that really help his pass rushing ability. Was a monster for Regina. Tried to play football for LSU, but didn't make it. That worries me when it comes to the NFL. Will be interesting if they can coach Hicks for the NFL.
WR Nick Toon is a big bodied receiver that is a good ball catcher. Can make big plays. Racked up 34 receiving touchdowns in his career at Wisconsin. Bloodlines have played in the league before.
S Corey White will add good depth to a secondary that needs a good safety. White is a good hitter and can tackle well. Needs coached on angles and coverage skills, but excited to see what role they put him in.
OG Andrew Tiller is a good valuable offensive guard for where they selected him with good size. Has good strength, but needs work on his technique.
OT Marcel Jones is a huge body at 6'6 and 330 pounds. Has NFL tackle written all over him, but struggles with many technique issues. Also has a history with injuries. Needs coaching, but I am rooting for him.
Overview: Considering all of the problems with the Saints this off-season, they drafted rather well. They didn't have many options but did what they could with their selections and tried picking players that will come into affect in a couple years. As long as they still have Drew Brees, they are in pretty good hands.
GRADE: C-
Buccaneers
2011: The Buccaneers had a very depressing 2011 season. The team never really caught fire in the season and finished 4-12. Causing in the hiring of new head coach Greg Schiano. The 2011 rookies had a little impact on the season. Adrian Clayborn who shows early promise and so did Mason Foster.
2012:
S Mark Barron plays like a veteran safety in the NFL already. Like almost all Alabama players, a tough and physical player. Tackles well and has soft hands to make plays on the football. Will be an immediate help in this secondary that needs it.
RB Doug Martin is one of my favorite backs in this class just because of all the things that he brings with his game. A tough nosed running back that also has quickness. Is effective running between and outside the tackles. Is a three down back in my opinion and should be interesting how they mix him in with LaGarrette Blount.
OLB Lavonte David is a real good football player. Has rushing ability and a good tackler. Good instincts, but needs coaching in coverage. Plays fast and thinks fast which are good qualities to have.
ILB Najee Goode has a good build for his position. I am interested to see what he can do in training camp and in the preseason. Will be a special teams man in rookie season most likely, but has potential to be a starter one day.
CB Keith Tandy has more balance and body control than most of the corners in this class. Needs work in his technique but will be able to help on special teams.
RB Michael Smith is a good change of pace type back. Will be a good fit for the Buccaneers with the other running backs that they have. A good pick, but will have to fight for every snap he gets.
TE Drake Dunsmore is a good athlete that may surprise coaches with athleticism alone. Will need to fight to make the team.
Overview: Really liked what the Buccaneers did. The addition of Doug Martin to this rushing attack will keep Blount fresh and a harsher attack against the defense. Mark Barron is one of my favorite guys in the class. Shows signs of being the next best at the position. I think this class will help this team get back on their feet.
GRADE: B+
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